A chorus of thunder was roaring outside the mansion and blinding bolts of lightning were striking the grey sky as merciless cracking whips. Although the temperature of this unpredictable night was somewhat violent, the streets of the town were absolutely dried of rain and the wind was barely blowing, not to say that it wasn't blowing at all.

Once in a while, the residents sitting and walking through the halls of the Ordoghaz were startled by the sudden bolts of light booming into the mansion by the few windows. Still, the atmosphere reigning through the corridors was tormented and mournful, as the nobles were anxiously waiting for the funeral reception to finally occur. 

However, it's with a firm step that Lord Marcus made his way through the many hallways, followed closely by the loyal Kahn, and further, by Erika, Marcus's future queen. Many heads were turned their way as that strange feeling of inquisitiveness was tainting every corridor that the Elder strode through.

Marcus has had yet to believe what Kahn told him a few moments before. Lord Viktor wasn't dead, contrarily to what was reported to Marcus two nights ago, by Mason himself. And if Kahn was right, it'll mean that Viktor and Marcus will have some serious issues to discuss.

Never, in fourteen centuries that two Elders have been awake at the same time, put aside the actual nights of the Awakening, when one was talking the place of the other. Now that Marcus and Viktor were both fine and awakened, it meant that one of them had to go back into slumber. This fact wasn't bothering Marcus one bit, for he knew that it was his turn to reign as an Elder. But, he also knew that Viktor didn't like to do compromises, and whenever he said something, it had to be done.

As far as Marcus was concerned, he was aware that Viktor had never especially had any affinities with him. And this was only foreseeing a long while of unsolvable arguments and unthinkable agreements.  

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Outside the mansion, where Mother Nature's vicious thunder and lightning were reigning the city, a cortège of five Death Dealers was making its way towards the front portals of the Ordoghaz, led by their almighty Lord Viktor.  A cortège it was, for as Mason was walking close to his master, the four other Dealers were transporting a coffin that was enclosing Amelia's dried body.           

It had been almost a half-hour that Mason had informed Kahn of the latest news concerning their whereabouts. Mason was also told by Viktor to tell Kahn to cancel the reception for this night, for the sun was destined to be completely risen in less than three hours. And so he had alerted his colleague, who had inevitably advised Lord Marcus. And here they were, back at Viktor's mansion, standing right outside the huge doors. As far as Mason was concerned, he had a strangely bad feeling about what was going to follow, concerning the Covenant.

As for Viktor, the urge to inflict Selene and her abomination the worst tortures he could imagine was burning him from the inside. The only thought of Selene being razed by flames was enough to please him. But this, he obviously didn't show, his cold vicious eyes of ice fixing an invisible spot ahead of him. Viktor knew for sure that before he could deal with Selene's faith, there were things that needed to be put back in their appropriate status. Inclusively the fact that he wasn't the only Vampire Elder awoken at this precise moment. Viktor slowly laid his cold eyes on Amelia's sarcophagus and sighed briefly.

The fact that Marcus had already been awakened only made him rage interiorly. Viktor couldn't wait to find himself face to face with Marcus again. Marcus, for whom he'd never had the slight bit of sympathy. As far as Viktor was concerned, he believed that the fact that Marcus was the direct descendant of Alexander Corvinus had rendered the young Elder as bigheaded and self-important. Viktor also knew that Marcus and himself have never been on the best of terms, and proved absolutely no concern regarding this, for when Viktor had something to do, he wasn't afraid of doing it. And whether it pleased others or not, they had to learn to live with the consequences.
 

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In the mansion, the tension of the waiting had gradually dropped down, for Kahn had announced that the funeral reception was to be cancelled for this night. However, this piece of news had traveled through the entire mansion to finally get to the Main Hall, where unaware residents were sitting around, doing what was best for them. Also, the whole house was still unaware of the fact that not one, but two Elders were actually awoken. Another deafening sound of thunder boomed through the house, soon followed by the white light of a subsequent lightning. And it's at this moment that the heavy doors opened widely, revealing two dark figures standing stiff in the doorway. Two manly silhouettes, both wearing what seemed to be a long leather coat, only that one of the two figures was obviously taller than the other.

There was another roar of thunder that was ensued by another bolt of light, which had allowed the Vampires in the mansion to recognize the two figures standing in the doorway. Several but discreet gasps could slightly be heard throughout the crowded room, to the point that one of the female Vampires who was standing had fainted, due to what she saw.

As Mason was fixing ahead of him, Viktor's murderous eyes were impassively glancing throughout the room, realizing how spineless and decadent his house and its residents have become under Kraven's time in what only Kraven himself could call power. This thought only made Viktor frown as his cold gaze turned into a lethal glare.

Never giving up his glare, the Elder began to walk foreword, his heavy steps echoing through the silent room. His eyes fell upon Nathalia, one of the many maids of the house who - unluckily for her - has been standing near the doors. The girl's heart began to pound more rapidly when he gaze met his cruel eyes.

"Tell me, girl," Viktor started grimly, towering over the young maiden. "Where is Marcus?" His voice echoed through her head like the thunder growling in the sky.

Nathalia was so petrified that she had forgotten to bow down before her Lord. "I - I don't… know… my Lord," she stammered, her voice almost trembling.

Viktor's eyes widened in a harsh disbelief to the lack of proficiency of the girl. "How incompetent," Viktor thought without a single feeling of compassion.

Realizing her lack of competence, Nathalia continued, "He's probably in his… I mean, in your… in the Elders' quarters… my Lord."

To her relief, Viktor slightly nodded. "Then, you will go get him for me," he commanded her coolly.

"This won't be of any necessity, I guess," another manly voice boomed from the other side of the hall. All heads turned in the other direction to see Marcus, who had finally arrived, accompanied by Kahn, and further by a very baffled Erika.

Viktor dryly turned his head as his eyes lay disdainfully on the other Elder. "Marcus," he said wryly as raising a deadly eyebrow. "Therefore we meet again, as I see."

Marcus let out a slight and willing chuckle. "Viktor… well, that's a surprise. I thought you were dead."

Viktor frowned at the Elder standing a few feet from him and sent him back his remark. "I must admit that it's more of a shock to see you here," he said blankly. "I thought you were still in hibernation," he glared even more.

However, Marcus didn't find his comment that irksome as Viktor thought he would. "Well… I guess we were both mistaken, apparently," he said with a hidden smirk.

Yet, Viktor managed his anger and said, "Apparently, yes. Now enough of rubbish and let's move on to… some more crucial matters." Again, his glare went through the whole room. "There are serious affairs that need to be dealt with, in private."

Marcus let a smirk appear on his handsome face. "As you wish," he said impartially.

To this, Viktor sent him a glare that only Marcus identified as fatal and strode through the room, passing scornfully in front of the younger Elder, who followed seconds later, leaving Mason, Kahn, Erika, and the other bewildered residents behind.

Yet, Marcus only had time to turn his head and catch a quick glimpse of Erika before disappearing into the darkness of the corridor. The young maid turned her head away, sadder than frustrated that Marcus hadn't had time to present her as his Queen. Irritated, she left the room in the other direction.